Best Paris Hotels

Locals, fashion editors, and travel cognoscenti agree: Le Bristol is the epitome of Parisian elegance.

With a privileged location on one of the city’s most ‘posh’ avenues near the Champs Elysées, Le Bristol has been a Parisian icon since 1925, when it served as the American Embassy during World War II. Since then, the hotel has rightly held the title of the city’s most sought-after address, thanks to its picture-perfect Parisian decor, impeccable service, and Michelin-starred dining.

The Bristol’s extravagance begins with its design. Interiors are filled with floral upholstery, silk curtains, tassel-fringed velvet sofas, and stately marble. Rooms are equally sumptuous, with vintage chandeliers, exclusive Quagliotti linens, and plenty of natural night. Other luxuries include the sun-drenched indoor swimming pool with Eiffel Tower views, and the flower-filled courtyard oasis. Of the several sophisticated restaurants, 114 Faubourg is not to be missed, with its celebrated gastronomic menu and open-plan kitchen.

Opulent, timeless, and impossibly luxurious, no hotel captures the lavishness of Paris more than the historic Ritz, located in the tony 1st Arrondissement.

The Ritz Paris has served as a sort of luxury ‘Mecca’ since it opened in the late 19th Century, when legends like Ernest Hemingway and Coco Chanel gave the hotel their stamp of approval (the latter fashion designer actually lived here). Earlier this century, the Ritz underwent a several-hundred-million-dollar renovation and debuted in 2016 to much fanfare.

Every element of the Ritz Paris exudes luxury, starting with the rooms, which are individually designed gems of Belle Époque décor (think cream-colored Italian marble, toile fabrics, vintage moldings, and sparkling chandeliers). The wow factor continues throughout the hotel, including at the Bar Vendome terrace, with its retractable glass roof allowing for sun-lit afternoon tea (or star-lit cocktails); and the famed Bar Hemingway, with its handsome library, vintage typewriter, and skilled barman, who has twice been named the best in the world. Guests have several sought-after amenities at their disposal, including the ultra-exclusive Ritz Club, with its indulgent spa and palatial indoor pool.

This leaf-covered boutique hotel in the heart of the Marais is a discreet and utterly romantic hideaway.

Couples will feel like stylish locals staying at the Pavillon de la Reine, which is nestled among art galleries next to the Place des Vosges. Guests are welcomed by a flower-filled courtyard, where coffee and cocktails are savored amongst limestone sculptures and topiaries.

Accommodations are quintessentially Parisian, with plush jewel tones, gilded accents, and fireplaces, along with contemporary elements like black-and-white photography and sleek bathrooms with Codage products. When not exploring the Marais on the hotel’s complimentary bicycles, couples can enjoy treatments at the spa, which offers a Jacuzzi and steam bath. The recently debuted Anne restaurant offers top-notch French cuisine and a chic atmosphere (though it’s not a must-visit, considering the other restaurants in the area).

With plentiful amenities and an ideal location off the Champs-Elysees, this Grande Dame wins extra points for family-friendly luxury.

The Four Seasons (referred to as the ‘George Cinq’) is about as palatial as hotels come, with gilded chandeliers, stately marble, and gorgeous oil paintings at every turn. But thanks to the brand’s international sensibilities, the hotel has perfected the concept of contemporary luxury, with impeccable service, a supreme modern spa, and welcoming atmosphere.

Families are well taken care of here, between the endless conveniences (airport meet-and-greet, 24-hour room service, custom itineraries for families), and special children’s appeals, such as welcome gifts, kid-friendly toiletries, coloring books, even back-of-house tours. Rooms offer sophisticated yet unfussy decor, with pastel sofas, white-and-gold accents, and ornate draperies. In-room conveniences include espresso machines, down pillows, and plenty of space for rollaways and cribs for little ones (rooms start at 538 square feet). Higher-level suites feature outstanding Eiffel Tower views and oversized living and dining rooms for entertaining.

With just 24 rooms, this ultra-stylish Left Bank hotel regards itself as a well-kept secret.

Shaded by the Saint-Sulpice Church in one of St. Germain’s loveliest squares, Hotel Recamier offers the experience of staying in a private home. Guest rooms are gorgeously adorned in an Art-Deco style, outfitted with vintage mirrors, colorful accent walls, whimsical wallpaper, contemporary art, and lovely balconies overlooking the square.

Equally plush are the common areas, including the chic salon (where breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktails are served), and small outdoor terrace. There is no restaurant, but the helpful concierge is happy to recommend and arrange dinner reservations, along with private chauffeur excursions.

A stone’s throw from the Louvre, the Hoxton is a design-lover’s dream, with a glorious blend of vintage Paris and contemporary-cool style.

Located in a restored 18th-century residence, the Hoxton opened in 2017 and became an instant classic, thanks to the popularity of its trendy sister hotels in Amsterdam and London. Every inch of the Hoxton oozes chicness (and Instagram opportunities), from the leafy interior courtyard surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows; to the atrium-covered lobby, with an original spiral staircase, pastel-colored sofas, and Art-Deco lighting.

The style continues in the rooms, many of which offer Julliette balconies with lovely garden overlooks. Mid-century-modern decor, colorful accent walls, chevron wood flooring, and stocked bookshelves complement luxuries like rainfall showers, blackout curtains, and exclusive branded toiletries. The rooms are small for the price, but most guests come for the hotel’s ambiance, anyway, as several on-site restaurants attract locals and visitors alike. Not to be missed is the Moroccan-inspired Jacques Bar, with its floral wallpaper and creative drinks like the “Last Tango in Paris.” There is also a casual wine bar and Rivié, serving French-Asian fusion cuisine.

Many argue that no list of Paris hotels is complete without La Reserve, a palace hotel beloved for its splendid Neoclassical design.

Located in a restored mansion on a quiet street off the Champs-Elysees, La Reserve’s location offers guests sublime views of the Eiffel Tower, Pantheon, and Grand Palais—and that’s just the beginning. A stay here is truly luxurious, between the hotel’s opulent decor (courtesy of designer Jacques Garcia), lavish spa, indoor pool, and multi-Michelin-starred dining.

Interior decor is borderline fanciful, with gold-lacquered doors, velvet sofas, abstract artwork, and period accents, including ornate woodwork and moldings. Rooms and suites are expectedly sumptuous, with Carrara marble bathrooms with double sinks, Nespresso coffee machines, and plenty of natural light. Many guests come for the world-renowned spa, with its hammam and comprehensive menu of treatments, including innovative anti-aging therapies from the notable Nescens brand. 

Located near the buzzing Latin Quarter, this boutique hotel delivers an impressive amount of style and amenities for the low price.

Surrounded by plenty of public transportation (including bike rentals and Metro stops) and within walking distance to Boulevard Saint-Germain and Notre Dame, the Hotel des Nations has a truly unbeatable location on the Left Bank. But the hotel’s chic design, well-equipped rooms, and high-touch service make it far more than a ‘budget’ hotel.

Guests stay in colorful and contemporary rooms, with mod-style wallpaper, whimsical upholstered furniture, and plenty of jewel tones. Accommodations are outfitted with all the necessary conveniences, including flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, and goodie-filled welcome trays. Guests are well taken care of, between a dedicated concierge team, a full buffet breakfast (which can be delivered to guest rooms), and daily ‘honesty bar,’ with hot drinks and petit-fours on offer.